Vicki King travelled with Titan Travel to India

Vicki King from Kyle Travel at the Taj Mahal in Agra

The Golden Triangle connects Delhi, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur, showcasing palaces, forts, monuments and markets. Plus, a side-trip to Ranthambore National Park, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger.

India’s Golden Triangle with Ranthambore National Park tour.

VIP pick up to the airport

“A VIP pick up from home in a Mercedes mini-bus, collecting a few people en route, removes the stress of getting to the airport. We met at the quiet Lounge, in Terminal 3 away from the hustle bustle of the airport – great for a glass of fizz and a bite to eat before boarding. On the lovely Virgin flight into Delhi for 9 1⁄2 hours, I slept conserving my energy for the trip ahead.

Vicki and Kate at India Gate
Vicki & Kate rickshaw

India Gate & The Taj Mahal

We visited the centre of New Delhi seeing the war memorial arch India Gate. With no adjustment time it was chaotic! I felt like a celebrity as the locals were fascinated by our group asking for selfies.

Vik our fantastic guide looked after us. He let us know what to expect, advising us not to engage with hawkers selling goods, so we became quick to acclimatise.

In Old Delhi we took an exhilarating rickshaw ride down busy streets with beeping horns as the soundtrack. It was absolute mayhem, an assault on the senses with mopeds, people, monkeys, cows, entire families on bikes, noise and smells – chaotic and really fun!

Relived to be at relaxing contemporary modern Leela Ambience Convention Hotel. The hotel room was fabulous with a rain shower and a spacious view across the smoggy city.

Up at dawn to see the stunning Taj Mahal in Agra at sunrise. It was foggy and overcast but we were one of the first groups. Walking through the gate is so awe-inspiring it made me emotional. A real tearful pinch-me moment. We all dived in to get photos on the bench for the perfect photo opportunity (emulating that iconic Princess Di on a bench).

This marble-clad building is all-white blending into the background against the white smoggy sky. It has a real wow factor especially for first-time visitors. (Wear something colourful to stand out for the photos.)

We then visited the markets outside with cows and monkeys in the street, and some bartering for the braver group members. In our free time we bought a very sweet Indian masala tea from the chaiwala.

Red Fort Agra

Red Fort, Agra

Red Fort

Visiting UNESCO Red Fort Complex, a palace fort with detailed intricately carved walls of red sandstone, the entrance and exits were overwhelmingly crowded, a real culture shock.

 

Red sandstone buildings cluster at the centre of ‘ghost city’ Fatehpur Sikri. This uninhabited fort was once the capital of Mughal Empire. 

 

ITC Mughal

We stayed 2 nights at the ITC MUGHAL hotel where we soon got used to monkeys roaming the grounds. A welcomed relaxing afternoon around the swimming pool gave us a chance to relax and reflect. We chatted with the group about our amazing shared experiences – great bonding and connection with other people.

 

market in India
market seller
Indian lady in orange sari

Sawai Madhopur to Ranthambore

The 2 1⁄2 hours train journey from Sawai Madhopur to Ranthambore was an interesting authentic experience riding the railway crammed with locals. I’m glad I packed hand sanitizer as it was a bit grubby!

 

Ranthambore

At Hotel Ranthambore Regency, rising early at 5am for a sunrise safari. It was so amazing to be on safari in The Ranthambore National Park – clear air as the sun rose (a contrast to the cities.)

 

We saw kingfisher, antelopes, deer, tortoises, turtles, monkeys. The guides knew instinctively where to go, and on the second afternoon drive we saw the incredible sight of a tiger laying on the road near the river! As we were about to drive out the park, we had another incredible sighting. We heard a group play fighting and roars in the bushes then four tigers ran out! A mother and three cubs sauntered past us – we were so lucky to be so close to the tigers – I had goosebumps- a surreal experience. We were so excited to see a dark sloth bear which was bigger than I expected and a little scary!

 

High tea was at Ranthambore Regency hotel outside in the glorious green grounds, natural rattan furniture. 

Hotel Ranthambore Regency
Tiger in Ranthambore
Stag in Ranthambore
Tiger and cubs in Ranthambore National Park

Jaipur

Drove to Jaipur and had lunch at a local families’ guest house, the lady did a cooking demo of a curry and a traditional Indian pudding. The cookery course is an optional extra and Kate was shown how to make chapatis!

In Jaipur we stayed at the beautiful hotel ITC Rajputana, the modern hotel lobby was stunning –we really enjoyed free time around the pool.  

cooking demo in India
Amber Fort palace
Amber Fort inside
Group wearing robes outside temple

The temple was in Jaipur’s pink city and pastel royal residence City Palace.

We were given robes to wear so we could enter the temple. Some had henna hand tattoos applied. They also demonstrated how to wrap a long piece of fabric into a turban.

We walked to the shops and while market shopping, we browsed alone and felt safe – expect some hassle and bartering. At the markets – people were friendly, and the sellers were jokey.

henna hand tattoo
City Palace Jaipur

Children playing looked so happy despite the poverty. On our last day we saw the grand architecture of 16th-century fort palace Amber Fort. There was a snake charmer with a cobra outside and we passed elephants as we drove past in the Jeep

I’d packed a scarf and long skirts, but it was really hot. It seems more liberal, and some days I wore vest and shorts. You can wear what you want really, except in the temples when they give you a robe to wear.

Indian lady in orange sari
Indian man with musical instrument
snake charmer
Hawa Mahal

It’s not a trip I’d have thought about going on, but I absolutely loved it! 

I’d suggest to definitely take a tour for the Golden Triangle rather than independently. A tour gives security and comfort and having an intelligent and knowledgeable guide was priceless– I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable as a female solo traveller.

India is noisy, colourful and mad – every emotion you can think of – I fell in love with the place.” 

Vicki King, Kyle Travel 

If you would like to visit India and immerse yourself in any of these experiences, please contact your local Kyle Travel branch and either myself or a member of our expert team can help you plan the perfect trip.

Vicki with Indian man
Vicki in India
plane wing

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